People come to the Highlands for many reasons - to marvel at the spectacular scenery, to walk the hills, visit its stately homes and castles and enjoy all manner of sporting activities - skiing, cycling, fishing, golf, riding and shooting, to name but a few. At Highland Belfry you will find scope for all of these.

You can walk right out of the cottage and on to Morrone Hill, where you are more than likely to encounter a herd of shy deer on your stroll - if you visit in the early autumn, the whole area resounds to the noise of rutting stags! Lochnagar, South Top, Ben Bhreac and other peaks round about provide tougher challenges.

The apartment has fishing rights on the Clunie which flows past the back of the house, so you can just go down with your rod and have a go. Fishing in the Dee can be arranged in the village, Braemar has its own good (and surprisingly level) golf course, there is skiing just 10 minutes up the road at Glenshee.

Braemar is well known for its annual Braemar Gathering where scores of visitors arrive to take in the spectacle of the highland games along with traditional music, food and dancing. The Highland Games Centre in the village explores the 200 year history of the games and its famous Royal connections. The nearby Fife Arms is not only a good place to stop for a drink or meal but also has the added, unexpected bonus of having on display over 14,000 pieces of beautiful artworks.

There are many fine castles to visit, including the Queen's own summer residence at Balmoral and beautiful gardens at Crathes and Pitmedden. Just 4 miles up the road, the beautiful falls of the Linn of Dee should also not be missed.

However you decide to spend your break in this breathtaking area, at Highland Belfry you will have a cosy and well-appointed base to which to return after the exertions of the day.